Shift by Jennifer Bradbury

“some friends fade away…others disappear”

Chris and Win have been friends for as long as each of them can remember. After high school graduation the two embark on a countrywide trek from Virginia to Seattle on their bikes before each head off to college.  Like many friendships that grow up together, Chris and Win know each other probably better than any other person on the planet. They know the troubles they face at home, the dreams not willing to let go to the flaws that make them human. But, as the journey nears the end Win leaves Chris on the side of the road with a flat tire and a ton of resentment. Resentment that continues to grow until the FBI shows up  and Win is nowhere to be found.

I started reading this book because my sport of choice is cycling and it got me thinking about what an adventure on my bike would be like-especially with my bff. After I stopped giggling at that image; I was quickly drawn into the story. It grabs you from the beginning as a good thriller should and intertwines stories from the present and the past expertly while dropping clues just when you think you’ve figured it out. The characters are relatable and heart wrenching in their growth. 2008, 245 pages.

 

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

With the cliff hanger provided in Hunger Games, the first book in the trilogy, I was like many fans waiting in anticipation for Catching Fire to be released.  Catching Firepicks up after the Hunger Games and Katniss and Peeta have returned home to District 12.  Katniss is uncomfortable with Peeta’s admission that their planned romance to win isn’t so business like for him as she also wrestles with her changing relationship with her childhood friend Gale.

A surprise visit from the President of Pelham quickly brings the harsh reality that Katniss and Peeta has sparked a revolution with their “love” defiance of the Capitol. With everything and everyone at stake they travel to the Capitol in hopes of squashing any rebellion. Epically failing, the Capitol shows how cruel it can really be and changes the very rules their society functions on. Will the spark become a fire or will everything be lost?

I stayed up late, really late, on a work night to finish this book. Like many readers, I am already attached to the characters and am wanting to watch them grow. I’m wanting the plot to evolve and develop into something new and I want revolution. Well, come on, the whole theme begs for it. Collins delivered to an extent on all three and I was left with my mouth hanging open at the last sentence so I’m keeping the jury out.  Book 2 is always tough and I think that is part of where it lost its punch.  Here’s to hoping that book three will provide the release that continued to build-even if only in the background-in book two. 2009, 291 pages.

 

Hunting Down the Horseman by B.J. Daniels

Walking into the middle of a series can be a little tricky-even when it is a Harlequin series.  Faith Bailey is one of three sisters living in Whitehorse, Montana. What few people know is that her passion in life is trick riding, or performing different stunts on her trusted horse.

Jud Corbett is a stunt man on the set of a movie being filmed near Whitehorse, Montana. The film is destined to be a flop if they can even get the film made after all the “accidents” that have befallen key players. After Jud stumbles across Faith practicing her stunts he talks her into taking the place of the injured regular.  Will each find another passion in each other’s arms?

Giggle. I just had to write that last line. I am a fan of romance and one of its biggest advocates-but that just makes it more fun to joke with. Hunting Down the Horseman is part of the Whitehorse Montana-the Corbett’s series in the Harlequin Intrigue line of romantic suspense. What struck me about it was how much more of a romance story with some intense situations it was to me than straight romantic suspense. Don’t get me wrong-I liked it. But it has made me stop and do some more self-evaluation on what I think romantic suspense is. Daniels tells a good story that uses the Montana setting to bring the romanticism of the open West to readers who will enjoy the adventure. Characters are well drawn and relatable. 2009, 211 pages.

 

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

When a book gets enough buzz surrounding it that the reviews don’t just compare it to Twilight but rather say it’s the first book to be just as good as Twilight-collection development librarians take notice. I sure did as did the young adult librarians in the system and as it turns out, everyone else.

The premise. Grace is fascinated with the wolves that live in the woods behind her house-especially the one with the yellow eyes that watches her. Despite an attack when she was young that should have killed her, she is a fierce protector of the pack.  What she doesn’t know is that the pack is not a group of average wolves, but are rather werewolves. The wolf with the yellow eyes is named Sam and during the summer, he changes to human.  After years of watching each other, fate is about to bring them startling close.

I admit, when I first started reading Twilight, I rolled my eyes a lot until I got hooked into the story. There is only so much teenage angst one can handle when you are no longer a teen. Shiver started the same way for me only it took me much longer to get hooked on the story. I haven’t seen that problem in the teens reading the book either, so I’ll chalk it up to my age.  The adrenaline mixed with the absolute certainty that this is the only person for you is an irresistible pull for many teens. The characters are well drawn and compassionate in situations that could easily bring out the worst in them.  I think readers who wanted just a little bit more from Twilight will find enjoyment in Shiver. 2009, 390 pages.

“Your life is sometimes a st one in you, and then, a star.” ~Rilke

 

Girl, Going on 17 Pants on Fire by Sue Limb

Having spent the summer blissfully in her boyfriend Fred’s arms, Jess starts the school year shockingly single and instantly finds herself in a quagmire of situations that are hilarious, over-the-top and life changing. Of course, isn’t that what being a teenager is all about?

This is the third book in the Jess Jordan series. A British take on the teenage experience, the series if off-beat and funky.  Like Louise Rennison, Sue Limb makes her readers laugh at the most embarrassing moments because face it, we’ve all been there. Engaging, relatable characters. Quick story line that could be set anywhere minus the few references to British terminology.  2006, 204 pages.

 

The Incident Report by Martha Baillie

If you are a librarian, the likelihood of your intimate knowledge of incident reports is pretty high. Let’s face it-the public library is not a place for quiet reflection and study so much as a gathering point for all things public…the good, the bad and the freakin’ hilarious.

Baillie’s book outlines all of the above in chapters listed as different incident reports told from the view of Miriam, a children’s librarian at the Toronto Public Library.  She carefully weaves stories of the different patrons that come into her library as well as the life she has lived and hopes to live.  The only story to repeat is the continuous letters she receives from an anonymous Rigoletto who in intent on making sure nothing happens to his Gilda.

This is a quick read, I read it in a few hours transfixed sitting on my couch.  The incident report format makes it almost feel like short stories that are all tied together in an eerie ride to the end of the book. The reader gets to know Miriam’s life on the surface with surprising jumps into her depths that startle because in the end, you really don’t know much more than when you started but you are greatly affected by her life.  It may be that I can’t shake this book because I’m a librarian and I recognize so many of the people in the story, including Miriam.  Then again, it may be because we all try to let go of the scary moments and in this book Baillie refuses to let us take the easy way out. 2009, 195 pages.

 

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Ok, I admit it. I’m a huge Sookie fan. The books, the show on HBO-everything. It is a wee bit embarrassing as I don’t usually hop on the pop culture band wagon but there you go.

Sookie is still struggling with the blood bond with the vampire Eric and the discovery that she is part fey. Excited to learn that she has a great-grandfather in the world, she soon realizes that all is not well in the fairy world and once again Sookie finds herself fighting for her life and for those around her.

There are a few twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting in this book! I enjoy the quick pace, light mystery and the southern humor. Sookie is flawed and is always berating herself for her low moral character-this makes her very relateable to readers. There is a real sense of doom with this book almost from the get-go. The Fellowship of the Sun is growing in its hatred speech and old friends have fallen hard for their message.

Dead and Gone is #9 in the Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris.  I think it is important to note that the series needs to be read in order to be able to keep up with what is happening.  There are also several short stories that Charlaine Harris says should be read in specific order with the books. If you read a title and you don’t remember reading about what they are talking about-most likely it is in a short story. 2009, 312 pages.

 

Worth Every Step by K.G. MacGregor

I was reading the back cover synopsis before writing this and realized it followed the same format as a romance-the only twist being instead of a heroine and hero, there are two heroines. 

Mary Kate is almost engaged to the hottest bachelor in Mooresville, Georgia when after a chance encounter with a PBS program on Mt. Kilimanjaro, she ducks his proposal and decides to climb the mountain by herself.

Successful investment banker Addison Falk is resistant to join her father’s firm in London but saying no is hard when you’ve always said yes. To avoid the looming move from Miami, Addison decides to take an adventure and climbing to Africa’s highest peak sound perfect. 

Will Mary Kate and Addison find the will to not only face Kili but also the forces in their lives that may be pushing them in the wrong direction?  A light and easy semi-romance. Romance is definitely a key factor but equally so is the journey each character takes to figure out their careers and life paths.  Characters are familiar and MacGregor does an excellent job of staying away from lesbian stereotypes. 2009, 228 pages.

 

Ghost of Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Touching Spirit Bearis one of my favorite books after getting a very enthusiastic push to read it several years ago. I’ve even traveled to see Ben Mikaelsen speak.  It was a profound book about the outward manifestations of inner damage and the redemption you can almost be forced to find under the right circumstances. Fall seven times, stand up eight.

The Ghost of Spirit Bear picks up with the main characters Cole and Peter who have a tenuous grasp on their recovery. Being thrown back into a harsh school environment they struggle to find their way.  Isn’t the true test of recovery when you can handle anything under pressure? Will Cole resort back to his violent past? 

I listened to this book on audio and it was a quick listen. It didn’t move me like the first book did-it had too many cheesy moments and didn’t have the gritty, harsh feel I was expecting. That said, readers are already attached to the characters and will want to see what happens to them.  I’m a little disappointed tho-I expected more. 2008, 154 pages.

 

What I Did For Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Ahhhhh.  What I love about Susan Elizabeth Phillips is that I can count on her for a light and funny story that grabs me and pulls me in quickly with characters I can’t get enough of and doesn’t let go until I’m sadly finished with the book. There aren’t any big surprises and as I’m typing this I’m realizing I just described the appeal of the romance genre. Interesting!

Georgie York is America’s sweetheart actress who lets those around her dictate almost every aspect of her life. When her perfect husband dumps her for an Angelina Jolie type actress she is devastated and humiliated.  When her former co-star and teen crush shows up and wiggles his way into being her pretend husband-really anything can happen. But, just maybe, Georgie might find who she really is and start carving her own path-one she believes in, even if no one else does. 2009, 404 pages.